Last month popular Sharon, 42, stunned the national broadcaster when she admitted she plans to quit Montrose after 19 years.

And we can reveal RTE chiefs want to poach rival Colette, 39, to take over from the teatime news anchor.

Tipperary mum-of-two Colette has been the face of news at Ballymount since 2006, a year after Sharon took the reins of Six One alongside Brian Dobson at the national broadcaster.

And despite juggling motherhood with a hectic work schedule, Colette has been tipped as “the perfect replacement” for Sharon.

A source said: “There’s no denying Sharon’s announcement that she plans to quit came as a major shock in RTE but bosses immediately started discussing who could replace her and Colette was the favourite choice.

“There are no definites as Sharon doesn’t know when she’ll be leaving but Colette is obviously one of the most qualified newsreaders for the job.

"She’s glamorous, extremely talented and very popular with viewers and she would fit in very easily alongside Dobbo.”

Despite being hotly tipped as a presenter UTV would want to nab when it launches its new station here in 2015, Sharon insisted she wants to leave journalism for good and is considering a career in “advocacy”.

Sharon said: “It’s been a very enjoyable experience but I’m looking for something new.”